12 Anesthesia Group Mergers in 2014 to Know

Written by Ellie Rizzo |
June 05, 2014

Anesthesia group mergers and acquisitions have been on the rise in 2014, due to changes in the healthcare system and the uncertain healthcare environment. For smaller anesthesia groups, the choice to band together can improve changes of survival. For larger organizations, forging partnerships allows more leverage with payers and the ability to capture data on outcomes and costs associated with anesthesia care.

While ASCs may encounter difficulties employing anesthesiologists as a result of increased anesthesia merger and acquisition activity, contracting larger outside groups can come with benefits, such as access to top-of-the-line equipment and technology and greater resources for value in care. The following are anesthesia mergers that have occurred so far in 2014 as reported on Becker's ASC Review.

January

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based MEDNAX announced the acquisition of the 37-anesthesiologist group, Summit (N.J.) Anesthesia Associates. Later in the month, MEDNAX also acquired the 48-anesthesiology provider, Baltimore-based Physicians Anesthesia Associates.

Knoxville, Tenn.-based TeamHealth acquired Omaha-based Professional Anesthesia Services, which manages more than 18,000 cases each year.

Dallas-based Pinnacle Anesthesia, Orlando-based JLR Medical Group and Greater Houston Anesthesiology founded U.S. Anesthesia Partners, an anesthesia-focused physician services organization designed to facilitate resource-sharing among the groups, though they continue to practice under their individual brands.

Williams and Wagner in Louisville, Ky.; Anesthesia Associates of Louisville (Ky.); Anesthesia Associates of Clark County in Jeffersonville, Ind.; and Southern Indiana Anesthesia Consultants. New Albany, Ind., merged to form ONE Anesthesia PLLC.

February

Sunrise, Fla.-based Sheridan Healthcare announced an affiliation with Greater Florida Anesthesiologists in Clearwater, a practice that provides services at eight acute-care hospitals and 18 ASCs.